5. Development and improvement of grazing skills – growing and utilising more grass.

In connection with the programme, a booklet – ‘Expanding your dairy enterprise – A guide for Milk Producers’ was also produced and sent to all milk suppliers.

In addition, a monthly technical bulletin focusing on issues affecting farms various stages during the year was developed and will continue to be circulated with Lakeland Dairies Farm Notes.

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At the launch, Lakeland Dairies’ Chairman, Alo Duffy said that the Lakeland Teagasc Joint Research Programme has been very successful over the past three years.

“It’s essential for dairy farmers to be able to make decisions based on solid expertise and advice and that is exactly what our joint programme is supporting.

“We are grateful to Teagasc for their commitment to the Lakeland programme.”

In addition to workshops, farm walks and printed materials, the advisory team also provides a one-to-one service to milk suppliers. The focus here again is on improving milk solids, grassland management and dairy herd fertility.

Dairy farmer and new milk supplier to Lakeland Dairies, John Healion, has used the service that is on offer.

In February 2014, he contacted the Lakeland Dairies member relations division, with a view to exploring opportunities that converting his beef enterprise to a dairy operation might deliver.

He was visited by a member of the joint programme advisory team in March of 2014 and a full appraisal of the farm took place.

A plan was then prepared for the farm and how best it could be converted to a dairy operation to maximise the available land base and assets.

“The plan for converting my farm to a dairy operation was laid out in a simple and straightforward manner.

“It highlighted the potential number of cows I could carry, the work I needed to do to set up my land and cow facilities to cater for a proposed dairy herd.

“It also identified the type of stock I needed to purchase and how my farm would be expected to perform at three different levels of efficiency. This was very helpful.”

With this information, I was able to present the plan to my bank, and with a small number of tweaks carried out by the programme advisor, I secured the funds needed to convert to dairying.

Con Feighery, Teagasc Area Manager said that through this programme, Teagasc has developed a strong working relationship that provides valuable information and support for Lakeland Dairies’ milk suppliers.

“We look forward to the achievement of further progress as we continue to advise and support Lakeland dairy farmers.”